today

Today, after we picked up Emma from phonics camp...

we

made beds, tidied up 

swam together

ate a yummy lunch together

and 

the girls played restaurant 

then we 
napped, blogged and watched noggin 

It was a great summer day.  I have fond memories of playing restaurant with Nate when I was a kid.  Slowing down feels so good.  Happy summer 

Caitlyn crack ups

One of sister's jobs is to sweep up crumbs with the little hand sweeper.  She loves to do it.  She had swept up after herself this morning, after enjoying some crumbly scones.  While sitting at the bar eating lunch, Emma was making some chip crumbs.  Caitlyn followed with, "be careful Emma, I just sweeped."  :) Bryan and I cracked up.  She sounds just like us.  

10 things Jesus has taught Caitlyn

The girls have been at Vacation Bible School at St. Tim's all week.  They are both having a ball and the VBS CD is currently being rocked in my car.  As I was putting C down tonight, I asked her what Jesus has taught her...


She held up her two little hands and began to list off 10 things...
1. Obey your mother
2. Listen to your mother
3. Listen to your teacher
4. Do what your teacher says
5. Love each other
6. Love your family 
7. Don't hurt anyone
8. Don't punch anyone
9. Always keep your pinky promise
10. If you don't keep your pinky promise, you will get in trouble 


Out of the mouth of babes- she has the obey and love part down...I am not sure where she has heard "obey your mother" ** wink wink **

We got the beat

Emma got to be a part of Music Theater Workshop with her Let's Play Music teacher, Ms. Rosanne, 7 other teachers and 108 fellow cast mates.  

After 40 hours of practice, they were ready.  Emma and her friend Lauren had a blast.  They were both brave and tried out for speaking parts and got them.  YAY ! It was an amazing show, with an audience of over 200.  Emma has been singing the songs, talking about it and doing the dance moves since the performance.  Way to go Em, so glad you could be a part of the fun. 

a room for a sweet gal

Miss Emma has been patiently awaiting a headboard and bedroom furniture since we moved.  The lime green vanity is what we have been waiting for.  It was built by my Grandpa Seddie for my Aunt Marcine when she was a little girl.  My mom refinished it and painted it so I could use it as a little girl.  I am so excited that Emma will have it in her room now.  We just got it, as my parents brought it down with their furniture.  Once we figured out how it would fit we thought we would start the hunt for the rest of her furniture.  Well, leave it up to Costco to meet so many of our needs.  Bryan found this perfect bedroom set and we spent the day transporting it and setting it up while Emma was at music camp.  It was a great surprise.  

The vanity goes in for a make over (i.e. refinished and repainted) next week.  I will post an after make over photo as well as some additional touches we have planned for Em's room.  Emma slept very well on her new bed and so did her dolls (in the storage areas).  

TOOL retreat

Teams of Our Lady retreat 

We spent a lovely Saturday with our TEAM at the Franciscan Renewal Center at the base of the Phoenix preserve.  We studied the 5 languages of love, enjoyed lunch together, shared some reflection time and recommitted to TOOL for another year.  We also attended Mass together and had a fun dinner at Barrio Queen in Scottsdale.  TEAMS has been a true blessing in our marriage and family life.  We are so happy to be a part of the amazing movement and call all of these people dear friends.  I think of them as soldiers of faith, love and support in this sometimes crazy world.  

Thanks to the Normans for introducing us to TOOL and starting our team.  

Love you !   

CrAZZZY hair

Are these two related ? 

Infant Swim Refresher 2012

Miss Caitlyn just completed her last Infant Swim Refresher.  She will begin lessons at Lifetime next year.  She was super excited to go swim in Miss Angelee's pool.  She completed her refresher in one week vs. the normal two.  We love that she enjoys the water.    

I am so thankful that I met the family at the park 5 years ago that introduced  me to ISR.  We are so grateful to have had Angelee teach our girls survival swimming for the past 5 years.  We knew from the beginning when she was in training (and practicing with Emma) that she was a natural ISR instructor and that was her calling.  Thanks for a great 5 years Angelee- you are a blessing to our family.    

thank you notes

jimmy fallon is not the only one who likes thank you notes, I have always been a fan...

QUE dramatic music...

thank you neighbors who live behind a few houses down, for leaving all of your front porch lights on so that I can see your house numbers clearly when I drive by at 11:30pm to write down your address to report your nuisance of a dog to the non-emergency police number 

thank you waxing "professional" for accidentally waxing off part of the side of my eyebrow instead of somewhere in the middle 

thank you fashion industry for bringing back the swim skirt so that I look hip and  not like an ol mom 


thank you Starbucks ladies, for not passing judgement on me while I drink two coffee's a day trying to stay off of diet coke